Guide to the World’s Best Acoustic Piano Brands to Buy

This month, the blog has focused on providing helpful content on finding the best piano for your needs.

If you’re brand new to playing the piano, my goal is to explain all the different piano terms so you can confidently make the best decision for you.

My previous content has addressed the different sizes of upright pianos and buying guides specifically for digital pianos.

But today’s topic is one near and dear to my heart because I love exploring the world of acoustic pianos!

I’m a total piano nerd and love debating the finer points of what makes a Steinway special (spoiler alert … Steinway is totally the best!).

Whenever I see a piano, I can’t help but go over to uncover the brand and give it a little test run. 

Please tell me I’m not the only one!

By the end of today’s post, you will know the key factors to consider when choosing a piano brand and the best brands across several categories.

I’ll even include my opinion about free pianos on Facebook and advice about properly maintaining your piano.

Ready? Let’s get to it!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate of the Amazon associate program, Modacity, Dr. Josh Wright ProPractice, Piano University course by Zach Evans, Musicnotes, Playground Sessions, and Piano Marvel, I may receive a commission at no extra cost if you purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information and privacy policy.

I take no credit for the images appearing on this page. Specific photos are courtesy of Canva. Although I am a nurse practitioner, I am not YOUR medical provider. The information in this post is for informational purposes only. It does NOT replace individualized health information from a qualified medical professional. Please see a qualified medical professional for individualized assistance with your health and wellness.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Piano Brands

When evaluating one piano brand over another, there are a few basic categories you should consider.

Each may be more or less important to you, depending on your previous experience and current piano goals. 

But you’ll want to understand each when on the hunt for your dream instrument. 

Sound Quality

This one speaks for itself. 

When seeking the perfect acoustic piano, most people crave a rich sound with plenty of dynamic range.

Although a qualified piano technician has some influence over this factor, sound quality often depends on the type and size of the piano.

Longer strings and a larger soundboard mean better resonance and a more true acoustic sound.

This means that taller is better if you’re in the market for an upright.

And the same goes for grand pianos.

Longer models have better sound quality than ones with shorter strings and smaller soundboards.

However, there are individual differences in how you perceive sound.

I prefer a piano with a more mellow sound, but you might crave one with a bright and sparkling sound.

Luckily, the world of pianos is vast, and if you know what you’re looking for, you’re guaranteed to find it!

Build Quality and Durability of Different Piano Brands

Well-known brands are often made to last. 

The top piano brands use high-quality materials, and many aspects of the manufacturing process are done by hand. 

Although there are decent modern pianos that have been mass-produced, they tend not to last as long or maintain their value as well.

As with all things in life, pianos do have an expiration date, meaning that for most instruments, there comes a time when the cost to repair is not worth the overall value of the instrument.

But when properly maintained, a new piano will last for decades.

Key Action and Touch Sensitivity

The key action assembly is what triggers sound when you press down on a key.

Some instruments are more sensitive than others, meaning you need less effort to play a note.

Others have a stiffer action, meaning you must use more effort to play.

Again, a qualified piano technician does have some influence over this aspect of the instrument.

Adjustments can be made to facilitate better touch sensitivity.

Pianos in good condition benefit from these types of adjustments every so often, which is why acoustic brands need tuning and maintenance regularly.

Price and Value of Different Piano Brands

Whenever you’re on the market for a new instrument, price is definitely a consideration.

Regardless of your price range, you want to ensure that you get the best value for your buck. 

Good-quality pianos are made to last for decades, and even if you purchase a used instrument in good condition, it will continue to perform well for years to come.

Brand Reputation and Customer Support

Certain piano manufacturers are associated with exceptional instruments that are well-made and highly sought after by professional musicians.

And then there are others that produce musical instruments that play but will probably not still be around in 50 years.

The number of pianos manufactured annually has decreased over the last several decades due to many factors, including a declining interest in learning to play the piano.

Although this may seem bad, it actually means that the quality of the pianos has risen.

There is also a greater interest in digital instruments.

Regarding customer support, I highly recommend you find a local piano technician to ensure your instrument stays in exceptional playing condition. 

Best Piano Brands

And now for the good stuff! Let’s get into the top piano brands commonly found today.

Steinway & Sons

Steinway pianos are top-notch and can be found in concert halls worldwide.

The company is based in the United States but was initially started in 1853 by a German immigrant named Henry Engelhard Steinway. 

And although the list of piano brands is long, they are at the top for a reason.

Their dedication to using only the best materials and constant striving for better sound quality is evident in their exceptional vertical and grand piano lines.

It’s clear that the company takes pride in its work. The documentary Note by Note: The Making of a Steinway L1037 shows a glimpse of its piano factory in New York.

The high-quality materials and level of craftsmanship put Steinway pianos at the top of the piano price range, with used grand piano models starting at around $20,000. 

Vertical pianos are generally priced lower, especially when used.

Pearl River

The Pearl River Piano Company is based in China and was started in 1956.

They have the distinction of having the world’s largest piano factory and producing over 150,000 pianos every year.

Pearl River offers 5 distinct series of pianos, including vertical models, baby grands, and even digital models.

One especially useful feature of Pearl River pianos is that they offer pricing directly on their website, a feature not offered by most piano manufacturers.

If you’re looking for a quality instrument at a reasonable price, check out Pearl River. 

Kawai

​Kawai is a Japanese piano manufacturer that was started in the late 1920s by a man named Koichi Kawai. 

Since then, Kawai pianos have developed a reputation for excellence. 

One unique feature of Kawai is its use of composite materials in the piano’s action.

This practice makes the action less susceptible than other actions featuring fully wooden parts to changes in humidity.

​Their innovative design ensures Kawai pianos retain their beautiful sound for generations.

Similar to Pearl River, Kawai is also delving into the world of digital instruments.

Yamaha

Similar to Kawai, Yamaha has its roots in Japan and was founded by  Torakusu Yamaha.

​Torakusu was fascinated with Western musical instruments and, after repairing a reed organ for a local elementary school, took the initial steps toward establishing the Yamaha Corporation.

Since that time, Yamaha concert grands have become a popular choice for stage pianos for many famous touring musicians, including Sheryl Crow, John Legend, and Lorie Line.

​Yamaha pianos typically have a bright tone, which makes them well-suited to various types of music.

After playing many pianos, I selected a Yamaha G2 for my home, and I absolutely love it!

Tips for Maintaining Your Piano

Whether you decide to go for a new or used piano, here are a few things you should know about piano ownership.

• Acoustic pianos require tuning at least once yearly but ideally twice yearly. New acoustic pianos will require even more frequent tuning in the first year to ensure the strings’ tension stays consistent.
• Acoustic pianos also benefit from a process called “regulation” every 5 years or so. This procedure helps ensure your piano’s action remains tight and responsive.
• Another procedure that can be beneficial is “voicing.” This technique is an adjustment to the hammers, which ultimately results in changes in how bright or mellow a piano’s sound will be.
• Having a humidification system installed in your piano helps to prolong the tuning. It’s also ideal if you can keep your piano away from an outside wall and covered when not in use.
• Digital pianos do not require tuning or humidification systems. If you don’t want to deal with having your piano tuned consistently, explore digital options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Brands

Do pianos last forever?

No. There were many piano manufacturing companies that popped up over the last 100 years or so and most of them are now no longer in existence.

​Following World War II, having a piano in your home became popular for entertainment.

Unfortunately, interest in playing has since declined.

​The market is now flooded with thousands of instruments that were often only designed for furniture or light use. This brings me to the next obvious question of knowing when it’s time to junk a piano.

How do you know when a piano is junk?

When the cost of repairing the piano is more than its value, it’s probably time to throw it away.

Unlike other types of antiques, there are very rare exceptions when “old” means “valuable.”

Most of the time, an “antique” piano is code for “junk that should be taken to the dump.”

Should you get a free piano from Facebook marketplace?

Probably not.

The piano market is flooded with pianos that were mass-produced in the mid-20th century and were not made to last more than 50 years.

These pianos often haven’t been regularly tuned, meaning they are likely below pitch.

Raising the pitch can be difficult and result in damage to the piano.

Adding insult to injury, finding replacement parts is also nearly impossible since many of these piano companies have gone out of business.

If you’re serious about learning to play the piano, give yourself the gift of learning on a quality instrument.

Either find a good quality acoustic or digital piano at your price point. 

What are the best ways to dispose of an old piano?

Piano movers often offer a piano disposal service for a fee.

If you’re into furniture crafting, there are also many creative ways to re-purpose the different parts of an acoustic instrument.

Check out this resource for more ideas on how to dispose of an old piano.

Final Thoughts

Each of the four piano brands that made this list has withstood the test of time.

From humble origins, they have each chosen innovation and commitment to their craft.

This has resulted in superior instruments that, when well-maintained, will be around for generations.

​Although each piano brand has its own defining characteristics, each piano is unique.

When searching for a piano, it’s ideal to try out all kinds of different pianos to ensure you find one you love!

​Have you played on any of the piano brands mentioned in this post? If so, which is your favorite?

Until next time, happy practicing!